Rumour mill - Kelly leaves FCS

08-29-2012, 01:48 AM

I haven't checked to validate but I hear the big KS has parted ways with FCS. At this stage of his career (if true) it seems to be a strange decision. I also thought he had shares in FCS. Anyway, it will be interesting to see how this, his wave pool project etc pan out.

Well knowing Kelly's thirst for innovation and Futures Manyra of not only playing with templates but also foils (amongst other things), I would not be surprised if he would be switching to either FUTURES or his own line of fins

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I'd expect it'd be his own line of fins. Really, Kelly Slater is the biggest brand in surfing so why donate it to someone else? He may as well reap the rewards of his brand value, plus sale profit. FCS wouldn't be happy though. Having said that they're in industry norm.

Maybe not, maybe they are just rotating the crops, so to speak. It seems plausible to me that a change in poster boys may add to their sales. So far there seems no substance to this rumour. In addition, the FCS website is notoriously out of date most of the time and never seems to have all the fin models available on it. I still see a big section in "community" dedicated to Kelly Slater's 10 world titles! -> http://www.surffcs.com/au/community/kellyslater10.aspx

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Split amicable, and driven by Kelly’s desire to explore new opportunities with Kommunity

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 7 September, 2012 : - - FCS today announced that Kelly Slater would not be renewing his long standing sponsorship agreement to ride the FCS system and fins. Kelly’s relationship with FCS extends back to the infancies of the company. He was instrumental in bringing global awareness and credibility to the system and fins, having achieved multiple World Titles over the last 15 years.

The split was amicable, and was driven by Kelly’s desire to explore new opportunities with his accessory brand Kommunity. Kommunity currently manufactures and sells traction pads, leashes, and board covers; categories which have been occupied by FCS for many years.

While Kelly is no longer official sponsored by FCS to ride the system and fins, he has indicated that he will continue to ride the system indefinitely. FCS also has a range of Kelly Slater signature fins that will still be available until August 2013. FCS would like to formally acknowledge Kelly’s contribution not only to Surf Hardware International, but to the millions of surfers that have enhanced their performance by riding the FCS system and fins.

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I'd have thought so although I don't see the colours changing. There's nothing to stop them using the templates, his name will be the only issue. I don't see that they couldn't still keep the K2.1 and K3 though, just couldn't mention KS on the description.

I guess they'd honour Kelly's wishes but it would be a shame to not be able to get those templates anymore.